Table of Contents Show
John Madden was an American football coach and television commentator whose net worth was estimated to be approximately $220 million at the time of his death.
The famous John Madden gained attention for his Madden NFL video game series, which he endorsed. He even worked as a TV presenter from 1978 to 2008 and then left broadcasting. He also wrote various books.
John Madden’s primary source of income is his career as a football coach, television host and the books he has written. He has also acted in several films, the source of his earnings. A documentary based on his life, “All Madden,” is set to air this December.
Who is John Madden?
John Madden was an American football coach and television commentator who was one of the most famous personalities in the National Football League (NFL) history.
In addition to his NFL accomplishments, Madden lent his name to the Madden NFL video game series, which became a cultural sensation.
He served as head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969 to 1978, leading them to eight playoff appearances, seven division titles, seven AFL/AFC championship appearances, and the franchise’s first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XI.
Without a losing season, Madden has the highest winning percentage of any NFL head coach who has coached 100 games.
After retiring from coaching, Madden was a color commentator for NFL telecasts from 1979 to 2008, earning 16 Sports Emmy Awards.
Madden has appeared on all four major American television networks, commentating on games broadcast by CBS, Fox, ABC, and NBC.
He also lent his name, expertise, and commentary to the Madden NFL video game series (1988–present), the best-selling football game of all time. In 2006, Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
ALSO CHECK: Young Dolph Net Worth 2023: Biography, Income, Career
What is John Madden Net Worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, John Madden had a whopping net worth of $200 million upon his death, the vast majority of which came not from his career as an NFL coach or broadcaster but from royalties and a deal with EA Sports for the Madden NFL Football video game.
Before the video game, Madden had an impressive tenure as a sports commentator for all four major broadcast networks (NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX) after retiring from coaching in 1979. He reportedly earned up to $8 million a year during his career.
In 1989, EA Sports launched John Madden Football, which featured the sports icon prominently on the cover. The game would go on to have 40 different versions and title changes and continues to iterate to this day.
In 2005, Madden reportedly signed a $150 million deal with the gaming company that allowed his “name and likeness” to be used indefinitely — even after his death. He is also entitled to an annual compensation award, estimated to be in the millions.
The game has sold 130 million copies worldwide, generating over $4 billion in revenue. Madden has also made millions with endorsements, including McDonald’s, Miller Lite, Verizon Wireless, and the top-grossing Tenactin, which earned him a cool $2 million in just one deal.
ALSO CHECK: James Murray Net Worth 2023: Age, Height, Weight, Wife
About John Madden’s Early Life
In Austin, Minnesota, John Madden was born on April 10, 1936. To find work, his father moved the family to California to find employment as an auto mechanic. John was still young then and spent most of his youth in a small town south of San Francisco.
After entering a Catholic school, he transferred to Jefferson High School. While in high school, John Madden quickly became a highly effective football team member.
John was a talented, versatile young athlete who showed promise in both offensive and defensive positions. He also turned out to be a talented baseball player.
When John Madden graduated from high school in 1954, he began playing football at the College of San Mateo. After one season, he transferred to the University of Oregon to study law and play on the school’s football team.
While at Oregon, the first of two significant injuries halted Madden’s career. Knee surgery forced him to sit out most of the season. After recovering from his first injury, John Madden returned to San Mateo and played another football season.
He then transferred to California Polytechnic State University and played offense and defense for the Mustangs. Once again, Madden proved his worth as a football player, establishing himself as a formidable offense and winning all-conference.
He also played on the college baseball team while earning a bachelor’s degree in education and later received a master’s degree in education in 1961.
ALSO CHECK: Suge Knight Net Worth (Updated 2023)
John Madden’s Professional Football And Coaching Career
While technically, John Madden did play professional football at one point, it was over before it even started. The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Madden in the 21st round of the 1958 draft, and for a while, it looked like he would play in the NFL.
However, disaster struck during his first training camp. He suffered a career-ending knee injury (not the one already injured), and that was it.
While John Madden was recuperating from a knee injury, he received college teaching training. During this time, he also dated Norm Van Brocklin, whose career was winding down.
The ex-defensive back showed Madden videos of football games and explained what happened in each play. As Madden learned more about teaching, his teaching education began to connect with football. A coaching career became a natural result.
By 1960, Madden worked as an assistant coach at Allan Hancock College. Two years later, he became the head coach. San Diego State hired him as an assistant defensive coach until 1966 when the team was one of the top-ranked in the nation.
During this period, he worked under tactical mastermind Don Coryell, who Madden later credited with his success as an NFL coach.
In 1967, John Madden was hired as the defensive backs coach for the Oakland Raiders. Madden trained under head coach Al Davis, who taught under Sid Gillman.
This meant that Madden was indirectly learning from the man who revolutionized professional football. By 1969, Davis had left the team and Madden to become the board at 32 years old.
This made John Madden the youngest head coach in NFL history at the time.
ALSO CHECK: Austin Chumlee Russell’s Net Worth (Updated 2023)
Television Career
Immediately after retiring from coaching, John Madden began a long and distinguished career as a color commentator and analyst. He eventually worked for all four major networks, including Fox, CBS, ABC, and NBC.
Over time, he became one of the most sought-after broadcasters in American sports, earning multimillion-dollar salaries. To entice him to join their network, NBC even offered to build Madden a “luxury train” (John Madden is known to hate flying).
John Madden’s Personal Life And Family
After meeting the love of his life at a bar in Pismo Beach, California, Madden married Virginia Fields on December 26, 1959. The couple had two sons, Michael (born in 1964) and Joseph (born in 1966).
Joseph played football at Brown University, and Michael attended Harvard University, where he started as a wide receiver on the football team.
Michael and Joseph lived private lives away from the spotlight, so little is known about them. Two days before John Madden’s death, the couple celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.
ALSO CHECK: How did Andrew Tate Make His Money | Real or Scam (Updated)
Age And Height Of John Madden
John Madden was born on April 10, 1936. So, John Madden is 85 years old. John Madden is well-known as an American football player and American football coach. John Madden has made a decent amount of money during his career. Approximate height John Madden was 1.93 m tall and weighed 95 kg.
Final Thoughts
John Madden was a legendary NFL player, sports commentator, and entrepreneur with a net worth of $200 million at his death. John Madden died on December 28, 2021, at 85.
Although John Madden had a successful coaching career in the NFL, he is probably best known today for his activities after his playing days. He became an extremely popular commentator in the NFL and later supported one of the most successful video game franchises.
John Madden was also a well-known writer and appeared in many advertisements for various brands. He was the first broadcaster to receive a $1 million salary. He was also one of the first artists to earn more than $1 million yearly from endorsements.
Frequently Asked Questions on John Madden’s Net Worth
What Was John Madden’s Cause Of Death?
John Madden’s Cause Of Death is unknown, as he died of unknown causes on December 28, 2021, at his home in Pleasanton, California.
What Was John Madden’s Source of wealth?
John Madden owed most of his career earnings to the deal he signed with EA Sports to appear in the Madden NFL game. The largest such deal was the $150 million deal Madden signed in 2005 to allow EA Sports to use his name in perpetuity.
As a result of the deal, Madden still earns $2 million in royalties from EA Sports each year. In the past, Madden has also worked with brands such as Ace Hardware, Toyota, Miller Lite, Verizon, Outback, and Tinactin.
John Madden’s Cause Of Death is unknown, as he died of unknown causes on December 28, 2021, at his home in Pleasanton, California.
John Madden owed most of his career earnings to the deal he signed with EA Sports to appear in the Madden NFL game. The largest such deal was the $150 million deal Madden signed in 2005 to allow EA Sports to use his name in perpetuity.
As a result of the deal, Madden still earns $2 million in royalties from EA Sports each year. In the past, Madden has also worked with brands such as Ace Hardware, Toyota, Miller Lite, Verizon, Outback, and Tinactin.
References
celebritynetworth.com – John Madden Net Worth
Editor’s Recommendation
